Indiana Jones’ Shared Universe Theory Explained – Every Film Connection

According to a number of Indiana Jones fan theories, the adventurer’s exploits take place as part of a much larger shared universe that incorporates other movie franchises. Over its decades-spanning narrative, the Indiana Jones franchise has featured a number of supernatural and sci-fi elements, including directly demonstrating the power of God and introducing the existence of aliens. This, combined with one or two Easter eggs that point to the franchise overlapping with other cinematic worlds, has led many to believe that the Indiana Jones movies actually take place within a much larger shared universe.

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While Indiana Jones‘ general narrative focuses on the supernatural elements of human history, there are rumors that Indiana Jones 5 will feature time travel. After Kingdom of the Crystal Skull‘s aliens, this would potentially see the franchise shift even further towards linking sci-fi with the supernatural. In and of itself, this increases the possibility that Indiana Jones takes place in a shared universe; in a world filled with aliens, time travel, and ancient religious curses, almost anything seems possible.

On the surface, the shared universe theory may seem implausible and all too easy to dismiss. Many dislike Indiana Jones’ apparent exploration of sci-fi elements, but they actually open the door to a much broader cinematic spectrum. And, while the theory seems far-fetched, there are actually key pieces of evidence that link the Indiana Jones franchise to other movie universes.

Indiana Jones’ Star Wars Easter Egg Connects George Lucas’ Franchises

Perhaps Indiana Jones‘ most well-known link to another franchise comes in its very first film, with Raiders of the Lost Ark containing a famous Star Wars Easter egg. Images of both C-3PO and R2-D2 can be glimpsed while Indy is retrieving the Ark of the Covenant from the Well of Souls, which is a clear link between the two George Lucas franchises. However, it’s not the only Star Wars Easter egg in Indiana Jones, as another hieroglyph can be seen which looks like Leia uploading the Death Star plans to R2-D2, and the nightclub Indy escapes in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is named “Obi-Wan”.

Of course, these are most likely intended as nothing more than subtle nods to Lucas’ sci-fi franchise, but they’re particularly interesting when viewed through the lens of the shared universe theory. Indiana Jones‘ use of multiple Star Wars Easter eggs hints that the two franchises’ characters exist within the same universe, which has potentially huge implications. The Easter eggs also serve as the backbone of the theory, as they’re the most tangible link between Indiana Jones and other franchises.

E.T. And Star Wars Are Linked

In linking itself with the Star Wars universe, Indiana Jones also links itself to other franchises. Another famous movie Easter egg that seemingly links two otherwise unrelated franchises is the Star Wars/E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial connection, which sees both E.T.-like aliens appear in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace and the titular alien recognize Yoda in his own movie. This has led to long-standing speculation about E.T.‘s connection to the Star Wars universe, with many believing that E.T. himself is a Force user.

Indiana Jones’ Aliens Mean E.T. Could Exist In The Franchise

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull has a great many detractors, with most criticizing the film’s use of aliens as part of its narrative. However, in doing so, the Indiana Jones franchise strengthens its links to both Star Wars and E.T., making for common ground between all three franchises. While the three can all be connected through their respective Easter eggs, the existence of aliens has been a central plot point in each franchise, making it entirely possible that Indiana Jones and E.T. occur within the same movie universe.

Of course, Indiana Jones‘ aliens were one of Kingdom of the Crystal Skull‘s biggest mistakes, with many denouncing the use of sci-fi elements as a betrayal of the franchise. However, when viewed from a different perspective, it’s one of the biggest pieces of evidence that points to Indiana Jones’ shared universe. By introducing aliens, it makes it all the more plausible that Indiana Jones could exist alongside the characters of both E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Star Wars.

What Indiana Jones’ Shared Universe Means For Star Wars

The idea of multiple franchises existing within one larger universe isn’t without its issues. One of the biggest is the way in which the Star Wars universe is incompatible with Indiana Jones’ – most notably due to the uncanny resemblance between roguish smuggler Han Solo and do-gooder adventurer/archaeologist Indiana Jones. However, there is one more way that Indiana Jones‘ canon interacts with Star Wars‘.

The Raiders of the Lost Ark Easter egg indicates that at some point, C-3PO and R2-D2 (or aliens familiar with them) may have visited Earth. This implies that characters from Star Wars‘ galaxy far, far away managed to travel to Earth across the vast expanse of space, something which has never been included in Star Wars canon. This technological advancement actually reframes both narratives and has led to some speculation that Indy could actually be a descendant of Han Solo.

Ways Indiana Jones Is Linked To Other Movies

One fan theory, posted to Reddit, links Indiana Jones to something described as the “Spielbergverse”, positing that most of Steven Spielberg’s movies are linked through the regular use of aliens, advanced technology, and genetic modification as plot devices. There are other links, though: the MCU’s Red Skull in Captain America: The First Avenger talks about how Hitler “digs for trinkets in the desert“, which is a possible link to both Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, which involve Nazis searching for supernatural relics in the desert.

However, the Spielbergverse theory is interesting as it connects Indiana Jones not only to E.T., but to Jurassic ParkJawsClose Encounters of the Third Kind, and War of The Worlds. It may require one or two leaps of logic, but in many respects, it’s less far-fetched than some of the Indiana Jones franchise’s plot devices and other fan theories (for example, the speculation that Indiana Jones could be an angel). Much of the evidence that supposedly connects these films is circumstantial, but it’s entertaining nonetheless.

Will Indiana Jones 5 Explore The Shared Universe?

Amid the rumors that Indiana Jones 5 will feature time travel, the idea that it may also explore a shared cinematic universe is more plausible than ever before. However, making the shared universe canon would create so many potential plot holes and inconsistencies that it’s unlikely to happen, particularly as doing so would reshape modern cinema practically from the ground up. It’s not at all likely that the Indiana Jones franchise will confirm and actively explore a shared movie universe, but it still makes for an interesting theory.

Key Release Dates
  • Indiana Jones 5 (2023)Release date: Jun 30, 2023
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